Reigning champ Aryna Sabalenka plans to 'surprise opponents' with 'something new' at Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka is coming off a massive 2024: last year, the Belarus native won both the Australian and US Opens, finishing the year at No. 1 in the world singles rankings. But when she starts to feel the pressure, Aryna does what any other 26-year-old would do: she goes shopping and eats a satisfying meal.
'I’m not going to get tired of saying that you have to find something that brings you joy—[whether it’s] good breakfast, having a good cup of coffee, enjoying some beautiful view of a beautiful restaurant,' she exclusively tells Women’s Health while chatting about her partnership with Maestro Dobel Tequila. 'Sometimes I go for shopping, which doesn’t make sense. Imagine you have a big match the next day, and the day before, someone sees you shopping? But if you need it, go for it. Don’t be afraid that it’s going to destroy your game.'
It’s a relaxed mindset that she’s brought to some of her biggest matches: last year, she promised the rowdy US Open semifinal crowd—who watched her handily defeat American Emma Navarro—that she’d buy them all a drink (her signature cocktail, Dobel’s Marg-Aryna, to be specific). Dobel later took $10 (about £8) off cocktails in honour of her offer.
On TikTok, she’s known for behind-the-scenes vlogs and dance trends, even making a viral video with rival Iga Świątek. 'We have to show to the people that we’re all nice here and there is nothing behind the scenes,' she says. 'It was actually fun. Whatever happened on the court stays there.'
It’s a marked change from a few years ago, when Aryna was known for sometimes letting her emotions get the best of her. She was known to throw her racquet on-court; once, she smashed it in the locker room after losing the 2023 US Open to Coco Gauff.
But now, Aryna knows exactly what to do when tensions are high. Here’s how she keeps her feelings in check—and how she prepared to defend her title at the 2025 Australian Open.
She’s trying to learn something 'new'
After a year of crushing the competition, Aryna’s pretty sure her rivals know her playing style by now. So during long days of pre-season training—which Aryna says begin at 9 a.m. and stretch into the 'late evening'—she’s working on improving her game and 'finding something new to surprise your opponent with.'
'It’s really important to leave bad things in the past and focus in the moment and just try to get better every day,' she says. 'It sounds simple, but it is simple. You literally have to just go there every day and work on something new.'
She prioritises protein—before and after matches
When it comes to food, Aryna feeds her body 'whatever it is asking for.' That means protein bars for snacks, and lots of protein and carbs after big practices and matches to help her muscles recover.
When she’s playing in tournaments, she also tries to stay away from sugar, since it makes her feel 'heavy.' But she lets herself celebrate a big win with her favourite sweet treat: ice cream with caramel or gummy bears.
'My God, now I’m thinking about that,' she says.
She relies on her team during stressful moments
When the going gets tough, Aryna’s team—which includes coaches Jason Stacy and Anton Dubrov, plus hitting partner Andrei Vasilevski, per The New York Times—gets going.
'I surround myself with the kindest people. I know that they cover my back,' she says. 'I know that I can trust them whenever, if I feel like I need to talk. They’re going to give good advice.'
During high-intensity matches, Aryna will 'throw' her emotions onto them, screaming about whatever’s on her mind. It helps her move on quickly.
'We agreed on that, like if I do that, it’s okay. I need it. It’s nothing personal,' she says. 'There are so many moments on-court where I would just go crazy and I would lose the match easily two, three years ago, and nowadays, I’m able to go through those difficult situations and actually get the win.'
It’s important that she lets her feelings out, because if she keeps them inside, she’ll get 'crazy.'
'I want to destroy everything,' she says. 'So for me, it’s better that I turn to my team, I say whatever, and then I turn back and I’m ready to go. I can focus and I can control the moment.'
The one thing her team can’t do? Laugh at her emotions—although they 'make fun of her' the moment she turns her back.
Another tool in Aryna’s kit are her breathing exercises, which she uses to 'settle the nervous system.'
'I turn to the wall and I do couple of deep breath breaths,' she says. 'You just turn back and you’re ready to go.'
She relaxes with loved ones, including boyfriend Georgios Frangulis
Now, if Aryna loses a tournament, she won’t let herself get down. Instead, she’ll just treat herself to a drink. (She doesn’t drink during tournaments.) 'I only drink to celebrate something or if I lose the tournament, just to cheer myself up,' she says. 'But I think it’s really important to balance these things, because you’re just gonna go crazy if you’re not gonna figure things you like to do off-court. You have to go out. You have to explore beautiful cities and just have fun.'
Aryna’s preferred activity involves a boat that she can 'jump from' and just 'completely forget about being an athlete.' On the road, she’s usually with her team and boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, founder of the açaí brand Oakberry. The two were first spotted together in April 2024 and have been together ever since, per People. He’s currently attending the Australian Open to see her play—and Aryna says it’s 'fingers crossed' that they’ll have something to celebrate at the end of January.
'His support is really important,' she says. 'Sometimes when I feel really down on the court, I just look at him and I see how much he cares, how much he’s worried. I’m like, "Okay, I have to win this match. I cannot screw this guy. I don’t want him to be sad and think that he did something." It’s the best support I could ever receive.'
Aside from tennis, the two love to 'go for good dinners and explore the world together,' she says. 'I think it’s so healthy and it actually helps us to stay together.'
Good luck, Aryna!
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